• NANS appealed to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to intervene in the Oyo school abduction case
• The group called for intensified rescue efforts for students and teachers abducted in Oriire LGA
• It urged stronger national security for schools amid rising concerns over student safety
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, has appealed to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to use her upcoming official visit to Ekiti State to draw urgent attention to the abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by the Zone Coordinator, Kayode Adeyemo, the student body urged the First Lady to leverage the influence of her office to support ongoing efforts aimed at securing the release of the victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The association expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of the victims, noting that the incident had left families devastated, communities traumatised, and Nigerians anxiously awaiting their safe return.
The abductees were taken during coordinated attacks on several schools, including Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, Oriire LGA. The incident occurred penultimate Friday and has since sparked widespread outrage and concern over school safety in the region.
While acknowledging the efforts of security agencies and relevant authorities, NANS insisted that more decisive and sustained action was required to ensure the safe rescue of all abducted students and teachers.
“We are confident that your visit will further strengthen the bond between government and the people while inspiring hope amongst millions of young Nigerians,” the statement read.
“However, while we celebrate this visit, NANS South-West remains deeply concerned about the continued captivity of abducted students and teachers following the tragic attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State,” it added.
The association emphasised that the incident had heightened fears among parents and education stakeholders, stressing that the safety of learners must remain a national priority.
It further urged the First Lady to use her “moral authority” to amplify calls for intensified rescue operations and improved protection of educational institutions across the country.
NANS also called on the Federal Government to strengthen security around schools nationwide, warning that continued attacks on educational facilities pose a serious threat to the country’s future.
“No child should be forced to learn under the shadow of fear, and no parent should have to worry whether their child will return safely from school,” the group stated.
The student body reaffirmed its solidarity with the affected families and pledged continued support for lawful efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted victims, while urging swift government intervention to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The appeal adds to growing public pressure on authorities to address the escalating insecurity affecting schools in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the South-West region.